RICHLAND CENTER, WISCONSIN: Two Richland County Board Supervisors have released a plan framework to revitalize the UW-Richland campus. Linda Gentes, Chair of the Education Committee, and Shaun Murphy-Lopez, Vice Chair of the County Board, recommended the framework to UW System staff during a negotiating meeting on March 17th.
“The plan framework is a compilation of many ideas from the community,” said Supervisor Linda Gentes. “We’ve heard from so many people about how this campus has improved their lives, both economically and culturally.”
The plan is based on a need to increase incomes for people in this rural county, which currently has a median household income of $56,000 per year. This is 84% of the statewide median household income of $67,000 per year.
“People with a bachelor’s degree earn $375 more per week than those with an associate’s degree, and they also earn $525 more than those with a high school diploma,” said Supervisor Shaun Murphy-Lopez. “Offering bachelor’s degrees and associates degrees at UW-Richland puts more money in rural people’s pockets.”
Currently UW-Richland only offers associates degrees. The plan framework lays out a vision for offering UW-Richland’s first bachelor’s degree in nursing. The nursing profession is experiencing a nationwide shortage as Baby Boomers retire.
The plan framework also recommends a new teaching certificate to help fill Wisconsin’s current K-12 educator shortage, as evidenced by Wisconsin’s recent increase in short-term emergency teacher licensures.
“UW System Vice President for University Relations Jeff Buhrandt, who is representing UW System President Jay Rothman in negotiations, has asked us for creative solutions to stem the decline in enrollment,” said Gentes. “That’s why we’re offering ideas that will help fill workforce shortages.”
The plan also brings back popular UW-Richland programs like dual high school enrollment, international students, continuing education, recruitment in local high schools, local financial aid assistance, and local enrollment. Each of these programs was removed under the oversight of UW-Platteville between 2018 and 2022.
“It’s obvious that the experiment of placing UW-Richland under UW-Platteville’s management has ended,” said Murphy-Lopez. “It’s time to move on and look for a new model. We want UW System to come to the table with a new idea for oversight of UW-Richland.”
The plan also proposes partnerships with the Richland School District and Southwest Technical Community College. Available space in East Hall, Wallace Student Center, and the Roadrunner Gymnasium could be utilized for these two entities.
“We’re aware of interest from the Richland School District in opening a charter school,” said Gentes. “While Southwest Technical College has not expressed interest, we’d like to offer space to them since they already rent another building in Richland Center.”
Funding for the plan would come from federal sources, as well as a local fundraising campaign. The US Department of Agriculture has several programs that provide monies to local rural communities to improve educational and workforce opportunities. The community also has a long history of supporting the UW-Richland campus.
“Our community’s donors have invested millions of dollars into the future of UW-Richland,” said Terry Sebranek, current President of the Richland County Campus Foundation. “We manage a $4 million endowment and a 200-acre farm, which is meant for the education of our people.”
The plan framework will be considered by the Richland County Education Committee at an upcoming meeting. The plan will also be shared with the community on Monday, March 27th, at a meeting on the UW-Richland campus. Interested parties can also join by Zoom (see below).
Negotiations will also continue on Friday, April 7th, with a meeting scheduled between representatives of the local business community, UW System staff, and Richland County Board leaders. The meeting will take place on the UW-Richland campus.
